Free Wi-Fi aggregator Fon
is hoping to boost the popularity of its network with the Gramofon, a
router that integrates music streaming. The first service to be added is
Spotify, but more are on the way.

Since it was founded in
2006, Fon has been working to build a crowd-sourced network of hotspots,
where users share their broadband connection via Wi-Fi and in return
get free access to other hotspots around the world.

For that to work users
need a special router that creates two separate signals—one private and
one public. The Gramofon is the latest compatible router and was launched on Tuesday via Kickstarter. It costs $30 and will start shipping in July, assuming the project is successful.

For the Spotify
integration to work the router has to be connected to the Internet and
to a stereo. Unlike with Apple’s Airplay, the user isn’t dependent on
their smartphone or tablet for the streaming to work. The mobile device
is used to choose what music to play, but after that users can leave
their “apartment to run errands, and when they are back an hour later,
the music will still be playing,” according to Fon’s FAQ on Kickstarter.

Friends on Facebook and
Google can also control the music by logging on to the user’s Wi-Fi
network using their social networking credentials. The initial version
won’t allow users to block friends from selecting music on their
Gramofon, but FON is working to add that feature.

In addition to Spotify
integration, Fon has worked with Wahwah Networks to develop a streaming
radio service for the Gramofon. At first, it will only work in the U.S.,
Spain and Brazil. The company also plans to integrate the Gramofon with
music services from Amazon, Deezer, Google, Rdio and Soundcloud, for
example.

The router is powered by a chip from Qualcomm, which Fon started working with and got financing from earlier this year.

The Gramofon can be
connected to the Internet via an existing Wi-Fi network or a modem and
an ethernet cable. The router will ship with a 3.5 millimeter audio
cable and an RCA adapter for connecting it to a stereo system.

There is no digital audio
connection, according the FAQ. Also, there is no way to connect speakers
wirelessly with the Gramofon, but Fon tells prospective users to “stay
tuned.”

The Kickstarter project will run until May 15 and Fon’s goal is to reach $250,000.